Day 21 - August 1, 2022 - Start of Maritime Jewels - Train to Aberdeen

-

There is not a lot to report on today.  We were mostly packed last night and finished up this morning.  

Our train to Aberdeen was a 10:33 AM run.  We had requested a taxi for 9:30.  Although it was only a 10 minute ride to the rail station, we wanted to have plenty of time since we were unfamiliar with the procedure.  The taxi was actually about seven minutes early and we had almost an hour to wait for the train.  Boarding with all of our luggage was a trip.  The train was pretty full when we boarded and we had to store all our luggage overhead, including our large cases. 


Haymarket Station

The trip was very comfortable.  The train was quite and the ride smooth.  The travel time was exactly 2.5 hours and there were several stops along the route.  I did not see anyone board our car at any stop, but by the time we reached Aberdeen, the car was half empty which made our exit easier.


Janet and Kay, watching the scenery fly by.

I will post a few photos, it was not easy to get decent pictures.  In addition to the speed of the train, I had to contend with the tinted windows and the many specs of what looked like tar on them.  The scenery was beautiful and I wish I had been able to get more photo.  Riding the rail in the UK would be a great way to see the country if done with just a carry-on.




 




Livestock here..


Golfers here...

The rail station in Aberdeen was at least a magnitude larger than Haymarket station in Edinburgh. We had planned to get a cab form Union Station in Aberdeen to the Sandman Hotel, the same hotel we spent 2 nights in 10 days ago.  During the trip, we decided that since it was only one-half mile we would walk.  This would not have even been up for discussion if it weren't for our luggage.  Between the four of us we had 4 large cases, 4 carry-on size cases and 4 smaller backpacks.  Nevertheless, everyone was game and we started out.

It really wouldn't have been to difficult if it weren't for the cobble streets.  Let me tell you, the small wheel on luggage just don't roll very well over them.  At one point a delivery person on a motorcycle actually asked the girls if they were ok, and if they need any help.  It was very kind of him, but not surprising.  The Scotch are very friendly and accommodating people.

We did finally arrive at our hotel, and soon met our group leader, Sam.  The was very nice and I think we will enjoy him. We got our rooms and our first event is a meeting at 5:30 and then dinner at the hotel.  It will be nice not to have to go our again.

We are back from dinner, nothing exceptional but adequate.  We are looking forward to boarding the ship tomorrow and not having to pack and move every 2 to 3 days for a while.

Until tomorrow...



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 41 - August 21, 2022 - Fly from Dublin to Atlanta

-
 Well, our adventure in Scotland and Ireland has finally come to an end.  Since our flight from Dublin Airport wasn't until noon, we had a leisurely morning.  Our checked bag had to be outside the room at 7:00 AM, so we went down for breakfast at 7:15.  Our cab ride to the airport picked us up at 8:15.  There were eight of us who left at this time.  Six of us were on the same flight to Atlanta. Check-in was straight forward, but it was a slow process.  For some reason it took longer than normal to process each passenger.  After getting our boarding pass we proceeded up two levels to security.  This also took a while.  After clearing the airport security, we had to proceed to US security clearance.  This involved another full security check, including shoes off, etc. and going before a US customs agent.  The total time for check-in and security checks was about one and one-half hours.  The plus side is that when we arrived in Atlanta, we just picked up our luggage and left, no furth
Read more

Day 39 - August 19, 2022 - Dublin - Glendalough

-
Image
 We were fed, packed and on the coach by 8:30 AM.  I learned the difference between a coach and a bus today.  A bus runs a regular route and picks up and drops off riders.  A coach is a hire for a specific purpose.  Denis, our guide, who has his share of Irish humor and blarney also said the difference between a coach driver and a bus driver was about 10 Euros a day. Our entertaining trip leader, Denis, who hales from Killarney in south west Ireland. Our first start today was at Avoca Handweavers Mill in Wicklow. Manual loom which was in use for production until a few years ago. One of the modern looms now in use. Following lunch at the Avoca village, we travelled another hour to the site of Monastery village of Glendalough. The countryside is stunningly beautiful here.  Glendalough is a glacial valley in County Wicklow, Ireland, renowned for an Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin. The fine tower, built of mica-slate interspersed with granite is ab
Read more

Day 40 - August 20, 2022 - Dublin

-
Image
 There is not a great deal to post about today.  At 9:00 AM we boarded the coach for a 2 1/2 hour city tour.  It was interesting, but few stops for photos, so not much to share.   Ivy covered building in the Georgia Period style. A section of the original Dublin Wall dating from 1240 AD The parking area in front of an elementary school, I thought this was neat. We visited Phoenix Park, a 1700 acre entirely walled park.  The U.S. ambassador to Ireland has his home here.  There was a race of some nature taking place and runners were everywhere. Wellington Monument, not the most popular person in Ireland.  This of course was erected during British rule. Construction began in 1817 and opened in 1861.  It is 203 feet tall. The Guinness brewery, which is a very popular monument in Ireland. After the drive, we were given admission to the Epic Immigration Museum.  It is a large multimedia museum which is has been voted a top European Museum.  Personally, I hated it.  Not because of the content
Read more